Jarada

The Jarada were a reclusive, insect-like species from the Jaradan sector. The Jarada were known for their idiosyncratic attitude toward protocol and especially for their peculiar language. The slightest mispronunciation of their language by an outsider was regarded as an insult.

2344 marked a bad encounter with the Federation, who regarded them as strategically important. A slip in the pronunciation of the greeting by their representative, a starshipcaptain, caused a twenty-year rift between the two governments. Reports from the contact existed only in the form of record tapes, which graphically demonstrated what happened when that ship's captain offended the Jaradan.

In 2364, the USS Enterprise-D conducted a diplomatic mission to the Jarada, where Jean-Luc Picard was to make a brief but necessary contact with them, in an attempt to mend their rift. In order to have a successful contact with the Jaradans, they demanded a precise greeting by the Federation's emissary.

Upon approach of the Jaradan sector, one of their long-range probes disrupted the holodeck systems on the ship. Following their probe, they sent a subspace message to the Enterprise, requesting to speak with Picard, who was, unfortunately trapped in the now malfunctioning holodeck. His first officerCommander Riker attempted to explain the delay to the Jarada, but they refused to speak to a mere subordinate.

Fortunately, by the time the Enterprise achieved orbit of the Jaradan homeworld, Picard was able to overcome the delay and successfully make the delivery. In doing so, he honored the Jaradans with his words of greeting, and allowed a new day to dawn between the two governments. (TNG: "The Big Goodbye")